Lid or cover for journal boxes



y 31, 1934' R. 1.. GROOM El AL LID 0R COVER FOR JOURNAL BOXES Filed June 27, 1953 2-Sheets-Sheet l room R. L. GROOM ET AL LID OR COVER FOR JOURNAL BOXES Filed Jur le 27, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QN M M M E\\/ Patented July 31, 1934 LID R COVER FOR JOURNAL BOXES Roy L. Groom and WilIliam Lurton Ross, Jackson,

enn.

Application June 27, 1933, Serial No. 677,898. x

9 Claims.

This invention relates to journal boxes, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide abox of this kind with a lid orcover constructed and applied in a mannerto prevent the robbing of the journal box of packing, to eliminate danger of burning off journals, and to reduce the heavy expense of repacking the box.

It isalso an object of the invention to provide a box of this kind and a lid or cover therefor which locks automatically when closed but which can be readily unlocked and opened with the packing hook now generally in use.

The invention consists in the details of construction and ,in the combination and arrangement of theseveral parts of our improved journal box wherebyeertain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. t

The novel features of our invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that our invention may be the better understood, we will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: i

Figure l is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a journal box having applied thereto a lid orcover constructed in accordance with an embodiment of our invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation of the lid or cover as herein disclosed;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the lid or cover in open position;

t Figure is a view in plan of a conventional type or standard packing hook.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, B denotes a journal box of a conventional type provided in its upper portion with the usual opening land which is provided at its top with an upstanding lug 2 through which is directed a pintle 3. This pintle 3 isalso disposed through the sleeves 4 carried by the upper marginal portion of thelid or cover L. V

"The side and marginal portions of the lid or cover L are defined by the flanges 5 and 6 which overlie the flange or bead 7 defining the side and marginal portions of the box opening 1. The central portion of thebottom flange 6 has its free margin provided with 'antoutwardly disposed lip 8. Disposed through this lip 3 in its central part is an opening 9 to allow when-desired the engagement of the packing hook P (Figure 5) therewith.

The lid or cover L has pressed out therefrom, as herein disclosed, a rectangular reinforcing rib 10 to assure said lid or cover having desired strength and rigidity and at substantially its 0 transverse center the lid or cover L has extending a major distance thereaoross an elongated opening or slot 11.

The lid or cover L at the upper edge of the slot or opening 11 is provided with an inwardly 'dis- 5 posed flat lug 12 which preferably comprises a portion of the material struck out from the lid or cover L in the production of the slot or opening 11. Underlying this lug 12 is a flat foot 14 carried by and laterally extending from an end portion of 10 an elongated arm 15. For a desired distance intermediate its ends the marginal portions Qt this arm 15 are inwardly disposed to provide strengthening flanges 16 and also providing a reduced portion 15' for a considerable distance along the arm 15 together with the transversely spaced shoulders 17 at the outer end of said reduced por-- tion 15 and at opposite sidesthereoi. The por-- tion of the arm 15 outwardly of the shoulders 7 and the reduced portion 15 is disposed on a slight inward curvature as particularly illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings. 1

The lug 12 and the foot 14 are provided with the registering openings 18 through which is freely directed an end portion of a rod 19. The opposite end of this rod 19 is rigid with an enlarged block or head 20 which snugly fits between and is pivotally engaged with the spaced plates 21 carried by or formed with a substantially C- shaped. latch' member 22. The portions of the plates 21 between which the block or head 20 is positioned are disposed beyond the outbow face of the latch member 22 although, as particularly illustrated in Figure 2, it is to be noted that each of these plates 21 extends a slight distance inwardly of the latch member 22 at opposite sides thereof.

As herein illustrated, the head or block 20 is pivotally held to the plates 21 by a pin 23 directed through said plates 21 and block or head 20 and interposed between the block or head 20 and the foot 14 of the arm 15 is an expansible member 24 herein disclosed as a coil spring. This spring 24 is of .a tension sufiicient to maintain the arm 15 in desired assembly with respect to the lug 12, yet permitting the arm 15 to have desired rocking or swinging movement with respect to the latch member 22. The tension of this spring 24 also normally maintains the outer or curved end portionof the arm 15 in contact with the latch member 22 and with the reduced portion 15' of said arm between the marginal portions of the plates 21 above said latch member 22. These plates 21 above the latch member 22 but closely adjacent thereto are each provided with a shoulder 25 with which engages one of the shoulders 17 of the arm 15 whereby when the latch member 22 is in looking position as illustrated in Figure 2 said latch member 22 is effectively held against opening movement until after the arm 15 has been pulled outwardly a distance sufficient to free the shoulders 17 of the arm 15 from the shoulders 25 of the plates 21. This outward movement of the arm 15, as illustrated in Figure 1, may be readily accomplished by proper use of the packing hook P.

The lid or cover L at opposite sides of the opening or slot 11 and adjacent to the lower end thereof is provided with the inwardly directed lugs 26 between which the latch member 22 and the plates 21 thereof are snugly engaged, and dis posed through these lugs 26 and the plates 21 in advance of the latch member 22 is a pin 2'7 whereby the latch member 22 is supported for desired swinging movement.

Suitably secured to the outer face of the lid or cover L, as by the bolts 28 or the like, is a housing 29 which encloses the slot 11, the latch member 22 and its plates 21 and the arm 15 so that difficulty will be encountered in having desired access to these various parts and more particularly the arm 15 except by the use of a packing hook P. To permit the use of the packing hook P the lower wall of the housing 29 is provided with a slot 30. As is illustrated in Figure 4, it is to be noted that this slot 30 is so positioned and directed that when engagement is had with the outer or free end portion of the arm 15 by the packing hook P pull upon the hook will result in the desired release of the shoulders 25 from the shoulders 17 and will also allow for the desired pull to swing or throw the lid or cover L into open position. When the shoulders 1'7 are released from the shoulders 25 further pull imposed on the lid or cover L will result in the latch member 22 rocking outwardly through the slot 11 of the lid or cover L to the position shown in Figure 4 where the outer end portion of the latch member is in a position to have proper contact with the lower flange '7 of the j ournal box B when the lid or cover L is moved into closed position.

As the lid or cover L proper is moved into closed position the contact of the extended outer end of the latch member 22 with the journal box 13, or more particularly the lower flange '7 defining the opening 1 of said box, will result in an inward swinging movement of the latch member 22 until the mounting 23 for the head 20 passes a center with respect to the mounting 2'7 for the latch member 22. When this mounting 23 passes this center or high point the spring member 24, which is then under maximum compression, will operate to automatically throw the inner end portion of the latch member 22 into locking engagement with the portion of the box 13 below the opening 1 to maintain such locking position of the member 22 until the lid or cover L has been pulled into open position. It is also believed to be understood that when the lid or cover L is pulled into openposition when the connection 23 passes outwardly beyond the center or high point, the spring 24 willalso operate to automatically throw the latch member 22 into full released position.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a journal box constructed in accordance with our invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that our invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason we do not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out our invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

We claim:

1. The combination with a journal box, of a lid pivotally connected thereto, said lid having a slot, an inwardly disposed lug carried by the lid adjacent to an end of the slot, an arm having a foot contacting with the lug, said arm extending out through the slot, a substantially C-shaped latch member, means for mounting the same on the lid for rocking movement through the slot, one end of the latch member contacting with a wall of the journal box to effect an initial movement of the latch member to bring the opposite end of the latch member in looking relation within the journal box with respect to a wall thereof to hold the lid from opening movement, means for continuing the rocking movement of the latch member after being initially moved, and coacting means carried by the arm and latch member for holding the latch member against retracting movement.

2. The combination with a journal box, of a lid pivotally connected thereto, said lid having a slot, an inwardly disposed lug carried by the lid adjacent to an end of the slot, an arm having a foot contacting with the lug, said arm extending out through the slot, a substantially C-shaped latch member, means for mounting the same on the lid for rocking movement through the slot, one end of the latch member contacting with a wall of the journal box to effect an initial movement of the latch member to bring the opposite end of the latch member in locking relation within the journal box with respect to a wall thereof to hold the lid from opening movement, means for continuing the rocking movement of the latch member after being initially moved, and coacting means carried by the arm and latch member for holding the latch member against retracting movement, said arm when moved in one direction releasing the latch member to allow the same to move into released position.

3. The combination with a journal box, of a lid pivotally connected thereto, said lid having a slot, an inwardly disposed lug carried by the lid adjacent to an end of the slot, an arm having a foot contacting with the lug, said arm extending out through the slot, a substantially 0-shaped latch member, means for mounting the same on the lid for rocking movement through the slot, one end of the latch member contacting with a wall of the journal box to effect an initial movement of the latch member to bring the opposite end of the latch member in looking relation within the journal box with respect to a wall thereof to hold the lid from opening movement, means for continuing the rocking movement of the latch member after being initially moved, and coacting means carried by the arm and latch member for holding the latch member against retracting movement, said arm when moved in one direction releasing the latch member to allow the same to move into released position when the lid is swinging outwardly.

4. The combination with a journal box, of a lid pivotally connected thereto, said lid having an opening, a substantially c-shaped latch member, means operatively engaged with the latch member substantially midway of the ends thereof for supporting said member by the lid for rocking movement through the opening, one end of the latch member contacting with the box while the lid is being closed for initially moving the latch member to bring the opposite end thereof in holding relation with respect to a Wall of the box to hold the lid against opening movement.

5. The combination with a journal box, of a lid pivotally connected thereto, said lid having an opening, a substantially C-shaped latch member, means operatively engaged with the latch member substantially midway of the ends thereof for supporting said member by the lid for rocking movement through the opening, one end of the latch member contacting with the box while the lid is being closed for initially moving the latch member to bring the opposite end thereof in holding relation with respect to a wall of the box to hold the lid against opening movement, and releasable means for holding the latch member against movement when in a second position.

6. The combination with a journal box, of a lid pivotally connected thereto, said lid having an opening, a substantially C-shaped latch member, means operatively engaged with the latch member substantially midway of the ends thereof for supporting said member by the lid for rocking movement through the opening, one end of the latch member contacting with the box while the lid is being closed for initially moving the latch member to bring the opposite end thereof in holding relation with respect to a wall of the box to hold the lid against opening movement, and releasable means for holding the latch member against movement when in a second position, the second end of the latch member, when the last named means is inoperative, contacting with its associated wall of the box for moving the latch member into its released position while the lid is being swung open.

'7. As a new article of manufacture, a lid for a journal box having means for pivotally connecting said lid to the box, said lid having an opening, a substantially c-shaped latch, means associated with the latch substantially midway of its ends for mounting the latch upon the lid for rocking movement through the opening, one end of the latch contacting with a wall of the box while the lid is being moved into closed position to move said latch to bring the opposite end of the latch into holding position with respect to a wall of the box when the lid is closed, and means coacting with the latch to hold the same in said holding position when abnormal strain is imposed upon the lid.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a lid for a journal box having means for pivotally connecting said lid to the box, said lid having an opening, a substantially c-shaped latch, means for mounting the latch upon the lid for rocking movement through the opening, one end of the latch contacting with a wall of the box while the lid is being moved into closed position to move said latch to bring the opposite end of the latch into holding position with respect to a wall of the box when the lid is closed, an inwardly disposed lug carried by the lid adjacent to the opening, an arm having a foot engaging the lug, said lug and foot having registering openings, a rod having an end portion insertible through said openings, means for pivotally connectingtheopposite extremities of the rod to the latch, a tension member surrounding the rod and bearing against the foot of the arm, said tension member operating to rock the latch to the limit of its movement after being initially rocked in one direction, and coacting means carried by the arm and latch for holding the latch against rocking movement in one direction.

9. As a new article of manufacture, a lid for a journal box having means for pivotally connecting said lid to the box, said lid having an opening, a substantially C-shaped latch, means for mounting the latch upon the lid for rocking movement through the opening, one end of the latch contacting with a wall of the box while the lid is being moved into closed position to move said latch to bring the opposite end of the latch into holding position with respect to a wall of the box when the lid is closed, an inwardly disposed lug 110 carried by the lid adjacent to the opening, an arm having a foot engaging the lug, said lug and foot having registering openings, a rod having an end portion insertible through said openings, means for pivotally connecting the opposite extremities 115 of the rod to the latch, a tension member surrounding the rod and bearing against the foot of the arm, said tension member operating to rock the latch to the limit of its movement after being initially rocked in one direction, and coacting means carried by the arm and latch for holding the latch against rocking movement in one direction, said arm extending outwardly of the lid through the opening, a housing secured to the lid and confining the portions of the arm 125 and latch projected outwardly of the lid through the opening, said housing having an opening to allow the insertion of a tool to engage the arm to release the same from the latch so that the lid may be moved into open position with respect 130 to the journal box.

ROY L. GROOM. WILLIAM LURTON ROSS. 

